Congressional Newsletters

RAND Congressional newsletters and alerts highlight our research on the most relevant issues in the public policy debate. See the most recent issues below.

Global Climate Change
Observed Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation Solutions to Climate Change
May 3, 2022

The impacts of climate change have arrived and are widespread, pervasive, and in some cases irreversible. Robert Lempert describes where climate adaptation efforts are falling short and provided guidance on how adaptation might become more effective.
China
Countering China's Gray Zone Coercion
Apr 29, 2022

Gray zone tactics are widely recognized as playing an increasingly important role in China’s efforts to advance its domestic, economic, foreign policy, and security objectives. But there is little consensus on which tactics pose the greatest challenges to the United States and its allies and partners.
China
Assessing China’s Defense Industrial Base
Apr 13, 2022

A new RAND report presents an assessment of the systemic strengths and vulnerabilities of China’s defense industrial base , and it was conducted to meet a congressional requirement from the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
Ukraine
Responding to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine While Mitigating Escalation
Mar 25, 2022

Russia has launched an unprecedented act of aggression against Ukraine. The United States and its allies must and can respond forcefully. But as they do, they should take into account the possibility of triggering a spiral of escalation that could lead to the only outcome worse than the invasion of Ukraine itself.
United States Department of Defense
Improving Department of Defense Civilian Casualty Policies
Feb 25, 2022

A recently published RAND study on the Department of Defense’s civilian casualty procedures found that while DoD has created policies that reflect a strong commitment to comply with the law of war and mitigate civilian harm, there are considerable weaknesses in key areas in the process with gaps in resourcing and inconsistencies across theaters of operation.
Nuclear Deterrence
Modernizing the U.S. Nuclear Triad
Feb 11, 2022

A new RAND paper describes the choices that have shaped the U.S. nuclear force posture in the past, the major questions and disagreements informing the current debate over nuclear modernization, and the significance of the decisions that will be made over the next several months.
United States Department of Defense
Keeping the Defense Industrial Base Afloat During COVID-19
Jan 28, 2022

In a new exploratory analysis of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) data, RAND researchers summarize investments in Defense Industrial Base businesses that received assistance during the early months of the pandemic.
Homeland Security
Homeland Security: The Online Extremist Ecosystem, Equity in Disaster Preparation, Arctic Governance, and More
Jan 20, 2022

RAND experts have testified and answered questions for staff on a variety of homeland security topics, including the federal response to domestic extremism, the role of the Coast Guard in the Arctic, and equity in disaster preparedness and response.
Russia
How Have Sanctions Impacted Russian Arms Sales?
Dec 16, 2021

New RAND research that examines Russian arms exports and the impact of sanctions found that U.S. diplomatic efforts buttressed by the prospect of third-party sanctions have had a "chilling effect" on countries considering Russian advanced conventional weapons.
Military Veterans
Better Aligning Housing Options with Veteran Preferences Could Help Alleviate Homelessness
Dec 16, 2021

Veteran homelessness in Los Angeles is a pervasive public health problem, with the county having the highest concentration of veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States. A new report describes a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study that followed 26 veterans experiencing homelessness in West Los Angeles.
Supply Chain Management
Considering Supply Chain Resiliency
Dec 9, 2021

In a recent hearing, Caolionn O'Connell discussed the role of the public and private sector and critical steps needed to improve supply chain resiliency.
How Does the China-Russia Relationship Affect U.S. Interests?
Nov 30, 2021

A new RAND report examines the history of China-Russia cooperation, explores how Sino-Russian relations might evolve in the future, and outlines the potential implications for U.S. national security.
Affordable Care Act
How Do Partisan Differences Affect ACA Marketplace Participation and Subsidy Use?
Nov 1, 2021

As the 2022 Open Enrollment Period opens, a recent study examines how political affiliation may affect decisions to enroll through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces and receive subsidies.
Military Strategy
Anticipating Adversary Military Interventions
Oct 28, 2021

New RAND research explores where, how, and how often U.S. adversaries (specifically, Russia, China, and Iran) have intervened militarily since 1946 and identifies why these adversaries have initiated military interventions and why they might do so in the future.
North Korea
How Does North Korea Evade Sanctions?
Oct 21, 2021

New RAND research provides a detailed analysis of four North Korean sanctions evasion techniques and examines the various entities involved in these activities.
Veterans Health Care
Suicide Prevention for U.S. Veterans
Oct 12, 2021

What role can research and public health efforts play in suicide prevention among U.S. veterans? Rajeev Ramchand outlines four strategies that are critical for preventing veteran suicides.
Russia
Understanding and Defending Against Russia's Malign and Subversive Information Efforts in Europe
Sep 29, 2021

The authors of a new RAND report describe apparent efforts conducted by Russia and its agents involving the use of information to shape Russia's operating environment, focusing on the European context, and draw from existing practice to describe possible defensive approaches.
What Can Be Done to Help Global Refugees Return Home?
Sep 15, 2021

Refugees make up roughly 30 million of the over 80 million people displaced globally. The authors of a new RAND report examine barriers to, and facilitators of, the safe and sustained return of refugees.
Health Care Costs
International Reference Pricing Would Have Saved the U.S. $83.5 Billion in 2020
Sep 13, 2021

A new study from researchers at the RAND Corporation estimated potential savings on U.S. drug spending under these conditions and found that implementing international reference pricing along the lines of H.R. 3 would have lowered U.S. spending on certain prescription drugs by 52.3 percent, or $83.5 billion, in 2020.
Education Policy
RAND Education Resources
Sep 2, 2021

A roundup of RAND's recent education research features results from a parent survey about COVID-19 safety practices in U.S. schools. It also includes insights on school staffing, investments in preschool, and middle-skills workforce development.
Afghanistan
Understanding Russian Grand Strategy
Aug 31, 2021

A new RAND report examined and tested elements of Russia's stated grand strategy and then outlined what behaviors would be expected if Russia's behavior reflected that strategy.
Vaccination
Initial COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign in the United States Prevented Nearly 140,000 Deaths
Aug 26, 2021

As the United States confronts an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths fueled by the delta variant, a new study from researchers at the RAND Corporation and Indiana University provides support for policies that expand vaccine administration. The study finds that the first few months of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign prevented nearly 140,000 deaths and 3 million cases of COVID-19 nationwide.
Gender Integration in the Military
Countering Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Military
Aug 26, 2021

To help prevent sexual assault and harassment in the military, a new RAND report offers specific recommendations for policymakers, focused on enhancing accountability, improving knowledge and skills needed to prevent sexual assault and harassment, and enacting a research agenda for the Defense Department to set the standard for excellence in prevention.
Afghanistan
Collapse in Afghanistan: Early Insights from RAND Researchers
Aug 19, 2021

The sudden end to America's longest war came Sunday as the Taliban rolled into the capital of Afghanistan and the national government collapsed. Even as the situation remains in flux, RAND experts have shared some of their initial thoughts on topics such as the issues fleeing Afghans may face, how the United States can protect refugees, and the implications of Afghanistan's collapse on terrorism and geopolitics.
United States
Summer Reading List for Congress
Aug 18, 2021

With a busy fall schedule approaching, many will spend time in August examining topics sure to top Congress' agenda after recess. This review provides insights from RAND on issues including Afghanistan, early childhood education, China, violent extremism, Truth Decay, and telehealth.